[0001] This invention relates to the development of silver halide photographic material.
It more particularly relates to the use of accelerators in development baths or prebaths.
[0002] U.S. Patent 3,901,709 relates to a combination of a poly(alkylene oxide) and a 1,2,4-triazoline-5-thione
in lithographic materials.
[0003] U.S. Patent 3,647,459 describes a radiographic material designed for rapid access
roller transport processing. Acrylic interpolymers in combination with a development
modifier such as indazole, mercaptotetrazole, 3-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole and sodium
anthraquinone sulfonate are described.
[0004] U.S. Patent 4,137,079 describes the use of 5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole derivatives
as antifoggants for silver plus dye image photothermographic materials.
[0005] U.K. Patent Application GB 2,032,923A discloses that 3-amino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazoles
are useful antifoggants for incorporated coupler color materials.
[0006] U.S. Patents 4,351,896 and 4,404,390 relate to the use of certain S-blocked 1,4,5-trisubstituted
1,2,4-triazolium-3-thiolates as silver stabilizer precursors in photothermographic
materials.
[0007] U.S. Patent 4,378,424 relates to the use of triazolium thiolates to form water soluble
light-insensitive silver complexes.
[0008] U.S. Patent 4,631,253 discloses the use of triazolium thiolates during the precipitation
of silver halide grains and the use of triazolium thiolates as ripeners during the
precipitation of silver halide grains. This patent (column 9, line 26) specifically
describes how soluble salts may be removed from the ripened emulsions. In the first
claim (column 16, line 18), the presence of triazolium thiolates in combination with
silver halide emulsion grains is mentioned only in the context of "during precipitation
of said...grains or thereafter until during physical ripening of said grains..".
[0009] U.S. Patent 4,582,775 discloses the coating of triazolium thiolates in silver halide
layers, but in photographic elements designed for color diffusion transfer, processed
under strongly alkaline conditions (28% aqueous KOH solution).
[0010] U.S. Patent 4,939,075 and European Patent Application 0 321 839 A2 disclose the use
of triazolium thiolates in bleaching baths and the use of triazolium thiolates as
bleach accelerators when incorporated in bleaching baths. Since bleaching baths are
used significantly
after the photographic elements are coated and
after a prebath (relative to development) and
after the development process, our invention is not disclosed in these documents.
[0011] European Patent Specification 0 054 414 B1 discloses the use of triazolium thiolate
silver halide stabilizer precursor compounds in a heat developable and heat stabilizable
photographic silver halide material.
[0012] U.S. Patent 4,675,276 discloses the utilization of 1,2,4-triazolium-3-thiolate compounds
that give stable and excellent quality photographic images without being accompanied
by increased formation of fog and increased changes of sensitivity and gradation upon
high temperature processing.
[0013] There is a continuing need for increasing processing speeds and for compounds that
will result in increased acceleration of processing.
[0014] While the above techniques have been successful in providing photographic materials,
there remains a need for a method of providing accelerated development that does not
require the addition of materials into the film during film manufacture. A technique
that did not require such addition of materials in the films would eliminate the difficulties
in storage or handling that may be incurred by the addition of such materials. Further,
in some cases, accelerated development may not be desirable. The optional use of our
invention provides the customer with greater latitude in the use and processing of
black-and-white photographic elements.
[0015] An object of the invention is to overcome disadvantages of prior processes.
[0016] Another object of the invention is to provide accelerated development without the
need to place additional materials into the photographic element.
[0017] These and other objects of the invention are generally accomplished by contacting
a silver halide photographic element during processing with an accelerator solution
comprising compounds of Formula I:

wherein
R₁ is a substituted (with a group such as an alkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon
atoms, a thioalkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group
having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a carboxyl group, an amino group,
and a hydroxyl group) or unsubstituted alkyl group having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms;
a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms; a substituted
or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group having from 3 to 28 carbon atoms; a substituted
or unsubstituted aryl group having from 6 to 33 carbon atoms; an alkyl, cycloalkyl,
alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, or phenoxy group connecting to a substituted or unsubstituted
aromatic ring (such as phenyl, naphthyl, etc.); or an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl,
alkoxyalkyl, aryl, or phenoxy group connecting to a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic
ring containing two or more heteroatoms having 1 to 25 carbon atoms.
[0018] R₂ is a substituted or unsubstituted amine group having from 0 to 25 carbon atoms
or is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms
or a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms or
a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group from 3 to 28 carbon atoms or a substituted
or unsubstituted acyloxy group having from 2 to 25 carbon atoms or a substituted or
unsubstituted alkoxy group having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms; a substituted or unsubstituted
aryl group having from 6 to 33 carbon atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic
ring having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms and one or more hetero atoms; an alkyl, cycloalkyl,
alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, or phenoxy group connecting to a substituted or unsubstituted
aromatic ring (such as phenyl, naphthyl, etc.); or an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl,
alkoxyalkyl, aryl, or phenoxy group connecting to a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic
rings containing two or more hetero atoms having 1 to 25 carbon atoms.
[0019] R₃ is a substituted or unsubstituted amine group having from 0 to 25 carbon atoms
or is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms;
a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms or a
substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group having from 3 to 28 carbon atoms; a
substituted or unsubstituted acyloxy group having from 2 to 25 carbon atoms or a substituted
or unsubstituted alkoxy group having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms or a substituted or
unsubstituted aryl group having from 6 to 33 carbon atoms (such as phenyl, 4-methylene
dioxyphenyl, 3-sulfamoylphenyl, etc.); a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic
ring having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms and one or more hetero atoms, such as N, O,
and S; an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, or phenoxy group connecting
to a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring (such as phenyl, naphthyl, etc.);
or an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, or phenoxy group connecting to a substituted
or unsubstituted heterocyclic ring containing two or more hetero atoms;
said R₁, R₂, and R₃ may further combine with each other to form a 5-, 6-, or 7-membered
ring.
[0020] Accelerator solution may be brought into contact with the photographic element in
the developer or in a prebath prior to contact with the developer.
[0021] The invention has numerous advantages over prior processes. The invention allows
the processing of photographic materials in accelerated manner without the necessity
for adding additional materials to the photographic element. Further, the acceleration
is controllable as various amounts of the accelerator may be added to the bath to
control the amount of acceleration. Additionally, the invention allows the use of
the accelerator in a prebath such that the developer bath does not need to be changed,
and additionally acceleration may be regulated as to amount without interfering with
the time of development. Suitable materials for use as the accelerator are illustrated
below in Formula I.

wherein
R₁ is a substituted (with a group such as an alkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon
atoms, a thioalkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group
having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a carboxyl group, an amino group,
and a hydroxyl group) or unsubstituted alkyl group having from 1 to 28 (preferably
from 1 to 8) carbon atoms (such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, 2-ethylhexyl, etc.);
a substituted (with a group such as an alkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms,
a thioalkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having
from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a carboxyl group, an amino group, and a hydroxyl
group) or unsubstituted alkenyl group having from 1 to 28 (preferably from 1 to 8)
carbon atoms (such as an allyl group, etc.); a substituted (with a group such as an
alkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a thioalkoxy group having from 1 to
6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cyano group,
a carboxyl group, an amino group, and a hydroxyl group) or unsubstituted cycloalkyl
group having from 3 to 28 (preferably from 3 to 12) carbon atoms (e.g., a cyclohexyl
group, etc.); a substituted (with a group such as an alkoxy group having from 1 to
6 carbon atoms, a thioalkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl
group having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a carboxyl group, an amino group,
a methylenedioxy group, and a hydroxyl group) or unsubstituted aryl group having from
6 to 33 (preferably from 6 to 12) carbon atoms (such as phenyl, 4-methylenedioxyphenyl,
3-sulfamoylphenyl, etc.); a substituted (with a group such as an alkoxy group having
from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a thioalkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl
group having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a carboxyl group, an amino group,
and a hydroxyl group) or unsubstituted heterocyclic ring having from 1 to 28 (preferably
from 1 to 14) carbon atoms and one or more hetero atoms, such as N, O, and S (e.g.,
4-pyridyl); an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, or phenoxy group connecting
to a substituted (with a group such as an alkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms,
a thioalkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having
from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a carboxy group, an amino group, and a hydroxyl
group) or unsubstituted aromatic ring (such as phenyl, naphthyl); or an alkyl, cycloalkyl,
alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, or phenoxy group connecting to a substituted (with a group
such as an alkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a thioalkoxy group having
from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms,
a cyano group, a carboxy group, an amino group, and a hydroxyl group) or unsubstituted
heterocyclic ring (containing one or more heteroatoms such as N, O, and/or S) having
1 to 25 (preferably 2 to 10) carbon atoms;
R₂ is a substituted (with a group such as an alkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon
atoms, a thioalkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkorycarbonyl group
having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a carboxyl group, an amino group,
and a hydroxyl group) or unsubstituted amine group having from 0 to 25 (preferably
from 0 to 8) carbon atoms (such as amino, methylamino, ethylamino, 2-ethylhexylamino,
etc.); is a substituted (with a group such as an alkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon
atoms, a thioalkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group
having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a carboxy group, an amino group, and
a hydroxyl group) or unsubstituted alkyl group having from 1 to 28 (preferably from
1 to 8) carbon atoms (such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, 2-ethylhexyl, etc.); a
substituted (with a group such as an alkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms,
a thioalkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having
from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a carboxyl group, an amino group, and a hydroxyl
group) or unsubstituted alkenyl group having from 1 to 28 (preferably from 1 to 8)
carbon atoms (such as an allyl group, etc.), a substituted (with a group such as an
alkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a thioalkoxy group having from 1 to
6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cyano group,
a carboxyl group, an amino group, and a hydroxyl group) or unsubstituted cycloalkyl
group from 3 to 28 (preferably from 3 to 12) carbon atoms (e.g, a cyclohexyl group,
etc.); a substituted (with a group such as an alkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon
atoms, a thioalkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group
having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a carboxy group, an amino group, and
a hydroxyl group) or unsubstituted acyloxy group having from 2 to 25 (preferably from
2 to 8) carbon atoms (such as acetoxy, benzoyloxy, etc.); a substituted (with a group
such as an alkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a thioalkoxy group having
from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms,
a cyano group, a carboxyl group, an amino group, and a hydroxyl group) or unsubstituted
alkoxy group having from 1 to 28 (preferably from 1 to 8) carbon atoms (such as methoxy,
etc.); a substituted (with a group such as an alkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon
atoms, a thioalkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group
having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a carboxyl group, an amino group,
a methylenedioxy group, and a hydroxyl group) or unsubstituted aryl group having from
6 to 33 (preferably from 6 to 12) carbon atoms (such as phenyl, 4-methylenedioxyphenyl,
3-sulfamoylphenyl, etc.); a substituted (with a group such as an alkoxy group having
from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a thioalkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl
group having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a carboxyl group, an amino group,
and a hydroxyl group) or unsubstituted heterocyclic ring having from 1 to 28 (preferably
from 1 to 14) carbon atoms and one or more hetero atoms, such as N, O, and S; an alkyl,
cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, or phenoxy group connecting to a substituted
(with a group such as an alkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a thioalkoxy
group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having from 2 to 8
carbon atoms, a cyano group, a carboxy group, an amino group, and a hydroxyl group)
or unsubstituted aromatic ring (such as phenyl, naphthyl); or an alkyl, cycloalkyl,
alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, or phenoxy group connecting to a substituted (with a group
such as an alkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a thioalkoxy group having
from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms,
a cyano group, a carboxyl group, an amino group, and a hydroxyl group) or unsubstituted
heterocyclic ring (containing one or more hetero atoms such as N, O, and/or S) having
1 to 25 (preferably 2 to 10) carbon atoms (e.g., 2-(1',5'-dimethyl-1',2',4'-triazolium-3'-thiolate-4'-)ethyl);
R₃ is a substituted (with a group such as an alkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon
atoms, a thioalkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group
having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a carboxyl group, an amino group,
and a hydroxyl group) or unsubstituted amine group having from 0 to 25 (preferably
from 0 to 8) carbon atoms (such as amino, methylamino, ethylamino, 2-ethylhexylamino,
etc.); is a substituted (with a group such as an alkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon
atoms, a thioalkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group
having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a carboxy group, an amino group, and
a hydroxyl group) or unsubstituted alkyl group having from 1 to 28 (preferably from
1 to 8) carbon atoms (such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, 2-ethylhexyl, etc.); a
substituted (with a group such as an alkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms,
a thioalkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having
from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a carboxyl group, an amino group, and a hydroxyl
group) or unsubstituted alkenyl group having from 1 to 28 (preferably from 1 to 8)
carbon atoms (such as an allyl group, etc.); a substituted (with a group such as an
alkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a thioalkoxy group having from 1 to
6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cyano group,
a carboxyl group, an amino group, and a hydroxyl group) or unsubstituted cycloalkyl
group having from 3 to 28 (preferably from 3 to 12) carbon atoms (e.g., a cyclohexyl
group, etc.); a substituted (with a group such as an alkoxy group having from 1 to
6 carbon atoms, a thioalkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl
group having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a carboxy group, an amino group,
and a hydroxyl group) or unsubstituted acyloxy group having from 2 to 25 (preferably
from 2 to 8) carbon atoms (such as acetoxy, benzoyloxy, etc.); a substituted (with
a group such as an alkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a thioalkoxy group
having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having from 2 to 8 carbon
atoms, a cyano group, a carboxyl group, an amino group, and a hydroxyl group) or unsubstituted
alkoxy group having from 1 to 28 (preferably from 1 to 8) carbon atoms (such as methoxy,
etc.); a substituted (with a group such as an alkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon
atoms, a thioalkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group
having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a carboxy group, an amino group, a
methylenedioxy group, and a hydroxyl group) or unsubstituted aryl group having from
6 to 33 (preferably from 6 to 12) carbon atoms (such as phenyl, 4-methylene dioxyphenyl,
3-sulfamoylphenyl, etc.); a substituted (with a group such as an alkoxy group having
from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a thioalkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl
group having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a carboxyl group, an amino group,
and a hydroxyl group) or unsubstituted heterocyclic ring having from 1 to 28 (preferably
from 1 to 14) carbon atoms and one or more hetero atoms, such as N, O, and S (e.g.,
2-pyridyl); an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, or phenoxy group connecting
to a substituted (with a group such as an alkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms,
a thioalkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having
from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a carboxy group, an amino group, and a hydroxyl
group) or unsubstituted aromatic ring (such as phenyl, naphthyl); or an alkyl, cycloalkyl,
alkoxyalkyl, aryl, or phenoxy group connecting to a substituted (with a group such
as an alkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a thioalkoxy group having from
1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cyano
group, a carboxyl group, an amino group, and a hydroxyl group) or unsubstituted heterocyclic
ring containing one or more hetero atoms such as N, O, and/or S) having 1 to 25 (preferably
2 to 10) carbon atoms;
said R₁, R₂, and R₃ may further combine with each other to form a 5-, 6-, or 7-membered
ring.
[0022] A preferred accelerator compound for utilization in the invention is Compound 1.

This compound is preferred because it provides effective acceleration of the typical
photographic element without producing undesirable side effects.
[0023] The method of the invention may be utilized with any desired photographic film that
is developable with dihydroxybenzenes, 3-pyrazolidones, and aminophenols. Further,
the invention can be used in combination with developers that contain preservatives,
alkali agents, pH buffers, antifoggants, and further as necessary dissolution aids,
toning aids, surface active agents, antifoaming agents, water softeners, and hardening
agents. It is particularly suitable for use with black-and-white films where there
is a need for accelerated development, particularly for black-and-white films utilized
with x-rays where rapid development is particularly desired by the consumer.
[0024] While the invention is applied either as a prebath prior to exposure of the photographic
element to a developer, or in the developing bath itself, the remaining steps of the
photographic processing may use any conventional technique.
[0025] The accelerator is present in the bath or prebath in an amount of between 10⁻⁸ and
10⁻¹ moles/L of an aqueous solution. The amount preferable is 10⁻⁵ to about 10⁻³ moles/L.
[0026] The following examples are illustrative of the invention and are not to be intended
as exhaustive of all possibilities. Parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise
indicated.
Synthesis
[0027] The 4,5-substituted-1-methyl-1,2,4-triazolium-3-thiolates were synthesized by a modification
of the method of Potts et al. (
J.
Org.
Chem.,
32 (1967) p. 2245).
Synthesis (Compound 1)
[0028] Acetic anhydride (10.2 g, 0.1 mol) was slowly added to a stirred distilled water
(11 g) solution of methyl hydrazine (4.6 g, 0.1 mol) at ice-bath temperature. The
resulting solution was stirred at room temperature for one hour and the water was
removed under reduced pressure. The residual oily acethydrazide was suspended in ethyl
ether and to this stirred mixture at room temperature was slowly added an ether (25
ml) solution of methyl isothiocyanate (7.3 g, 0.1 mol). The resulting stirred solution
was kept at room temperature for 30 minutes and then the solvent was removed under
reduced pressure. The residual colorless solid was triturated with ethyl ether to
give 4.9 g (30 percent) of the thiosemicarbazide (a white powder); m.p., 180° to 181°C
(lit. m.p. 175° to 177°C). The thiosemicarbazide (5.0 g, 0.03 mol) was refluxed in
a methanol (25 ml) solution for 21 hours. During this reflux period, the thiosemicarbazide
completely dissolved in the refluxing methanol and the triazolium thiolate, a colorless
solid, then separated (m.p., 258° to 259°C; lit. m.p. 256° to 257°C).
Examples 1-6
[0029] A control coating was prepared by coating a polydisperse octahedral Ag₂S-sensitized
silver bromoiodide emulsion (6 mole % I) at 4.89 g Ag/m² and 11.1 g gel/m². Examples
1 to 6 were prepared by coating Compound 1 at 0.3 and 3.0 mmol/mol Ag respectively,
like the control coating described above. The coatings were exposed (1 sec, 500 W,
2850° K) to tungsten light, processed for 2 3/4 min. in Kodak Super RT Developer,
fixed, washed, and dried. The coatings also were exposed (1 sec, 500 W, 2850° K) to
tungsten light, processed for 4 min. in Kodak D-19 Developer, fixed, washed, and dried.
Sets of coatings were processed and evaluated while fresh. Other sets were processed
and evaluated
after 1-week or 2-week incubations at 120°F/50% relative humidity. The fog (D
min) measured for these examples is tabulated in Table I below for Kodak Super RT development
and in Table II below for Kodak D-19 development. The data show that Compound 1 (Compound
25 in U.S. Patent 4,675,276) causes significant fresh fog and significant incubation
fog when used according to the prescriptions of the invention in U.S. Patent 4,675,276.
TABLE I
(Kodak Super RT Development) |
Example |
Compound |
Level (mmol/mol Ag) |
Fresh Dmin |
1(control) |
None |
None |
0.04 |
2 |
1 |
0.3 |
0.18 |
3 |
1 |
3.0 |
0.69 |
TABLE II
(Kodak D-19 Development) |
Example |
Compound |
Level (mmol/mol Ag) |
Fresh |
Dmin 1 Week |
2 Weeks |
4(Control) |
None |
None |
0.30 |
0.63 |
1.47 |
5 |
1 |
0.3 |
0.27 |
1,07 |
1.95 |
6 |
1 |
3.0 |
1.47 |
1.59 |
1.87 |
Examples 7-14
[0030] A set of coatings similar to the coating of Example 1 was prepared, except that the
emulsion was coated at a level of 8.3 g Ag/m². These coatings were exposed as described
in Examples 1-6, and processed for various times at 23°C in a developer solution having
the following composition: 14.5 g hydroquinone/L, 3 g Na₂SO₃/L, 3 g KBr/L, 2 g Kodak
Antical/L, 6 g boric acid/L, 65 g sodium formaldehyde bisulfite (hemihydrate)/L, and
83 g Na₂CO₃/L. The controls were exposed and developed without soaking in a triazolium
thiolate prebath. The example coatings illustrating the present invention were soaked
in a 2.3 X 10⁻⁵ mole/L solution in a prebath of Compound 1 for 5 sec. before processing
in the developer. After development, the coatings were fixed and dried as described
for the Examples 1-6. The sensitometric results are shown in Table III.
TABLE III
Minutes Development |
Example |
Dmin |
Dmax |
1 |
7(Control) |
0.03 |
0.05 |
1 |
8 |
0.03 |
0.75 |
2 |
9(Control) |
0.03 |
0.15 |
2 |
10 |
0.08 |
1.80 |
3 |
11(Control) |
0.04 |
1.12 |
3 |
12 |
0.12 |
2.52 |
4 |
13(Control) |
0.05 |
2.82 |
4 |
14 |
0.22 |
3.50 |
1. A method of accelerating development comprising contacting a silver halide photographic
element during processing with an accelerator comprising

wherein
R₁ is a substituted (with a group such as an alkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon
atoms, a thioalkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group
having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a carboxy group, an amino group, and
a hydroxyl group) or unsubstituted alkyl group having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms; a
substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms; a substituted
or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group having from 3 to 28 carbon atoms; a substituted
or unsubstituted aryl group having from 6 to 33 carbon atoms; an alkyl, cycloalkyl,
alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, or phenoxy group, connecting to a substituted or unsubstituted
aryl group, having 6 to 33 carbon atoms; or an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl,
aryl, or phenoxy group connecting to a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic ring
containing two or more heteroatoms having 1 to 25 carbon atoms.
R₂ is a substituted or unsubstituted amine group having from 0 to 25 carbon atoms
or is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms
or a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms or
a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group from 3 to 28 carbon atoms or a substituted
or unsubstituted acyloxy group having from 2 to 25 carbon atoms or a substituted or
unsubstituted alkoxy group having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms; a substituted or unsubstituted
aryl group having from 6 to 33 carbon atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic
ring having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms and one or more hetero atoms; an alkyl, cycloalkyl,
alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, or phenoxy group, connecting to a substituted or unsubstituted
aryl group, having 6 to 33 carbon atoms; or an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl,
aryl, or phenoxy group connecting to a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic ring
containing two or more hetero atoms having 1 to 25 carbon atoms.
R₃ is a substituted or unsubstituted amine group having from 0 to 25 carbon atoms
or is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms;
a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms or a
substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group having from 3 to 28 carbon atoms; a
substituted or unsubstituted acyloxy group having from 2 to 25 carbon atoms or a substituted
or unsubstituted alkoxy group having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms or a substituted or
unsubstituted aryl group having from 6 to 33 carbon atoms (such as phenyl, 4-methylene
dioxyphenyl, 3-sulfamoylphenyl, etc.); a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic
ring having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms and one or more hetero atoms, such as N, O,
and S; an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, or phenoxy group, connecting
to a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, having 6 to 33 carbon atoms; or an alkyl,
cycloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, or phenoxy group connecting to a substituted or unsubstituted
heterocyclic ring containing two or more hetero atoms;
said R₁, R₂, and R₃ may further combine with each other to form a 5-, 6-, or 7-membered
ring.
2. The method of Claim 1 wherein said contacting is in a developer.
3. The method of Claim 1 wherein said contacting is in a prebath prior to developing
4. The method of Claim 1 wherein said accelerator comprises
5. The method of Claim 1 wherein said accelerator is present in an aqueous solution at
about 10⁻⁸ to about 10⁻¹ moles/L.
6. The method of Claim 1 wherein the accelerator contacting time for aqueous accelerator
solution to contact said photographic element is between about 0.01 second to 10 minutes.
7. A bath for image processing comprising a solution of

wherein
R₁ is a substituted (with a group such as an alkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon
atoms, a thioalkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group
having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a carboxy group, an amino group, and
a hydroxyl group) or unsubstituted alkyl group having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms; a
substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms; a substituted
or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group having from 3 to 28 carbon atoms; a substituted
or unsubstituted aryl group having from 6 to 33 carbon atoms; an alkyl, cycloalkyl,
alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, or phenoxy group, connecting to a substituted or unsubstituted
aryl group, having 6 to 33 carbon atoms; or an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl,
aryl, or phenoxy group connecting to a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic ring
containing two or more heteroatoms having 1 to 25 carbon atoms.
R₂ is a substituted or unsubstituted amine group having from 0 to 25 carbon atoms
or is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms
or a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms or
a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group from 3 to 28 carbon atoms or a substituted
or unsubstituted acyloxy group having from 2 to 25 carbon atoms or a substituted or
unsubstituted alkoxy group having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms; a substituted or unsubstituted
aryl group having from 6 to 33 carbon atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic
ring having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms and one or more hetero atoms; an alkyl, cycloalkyl,
alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, or phenoxy group, connecting to a substituted or unsubstituted
aryl group, having 6 to 33 carbon atoms; or an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl,
aryl, or phenoxy group connecting to a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic ring
containing two or more hetero atoms having 1 to 25 carbon atoms.
R₃ is a substituted or unsubstituted amine group having from 0 to 25 carbon atoms
or is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms;
a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms or a
substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group having from 3 to 28 carbon atoms; a
substituted or unsubstituted acyloxy group having from 2 to 25 carbon atoms or a substituted
or unsubstituted alkoxy group having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms or a substituted or
unsubstituted aryl group having from 6 to 33 carbon atoms (such as phenyl, 4-methylene
dioxyphenyl, 3-sulfamoylphenyl, etc.); a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic
ring having from 1 to 28 carbon atoms and one or more hetero atoms, such as N, O,
and S; an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, or phenoxy group, connecting
to a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, having 6 to 33 carbon atoms; or an alkyl,
cycloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, or phenoxy group connecting to a substituted or unsubstituted
heterocyclic ring containing two or more hetero atoms;
said R₁, R₂, and R₃ may further combine with each other to form a 5-, 6-, or 7-membered
ring.
8. The bath of Claim 7 wherein said solution comprises an aqueous solution.
9. The bath of Claim 8 wherein said Formula I compound is present in an amount of between
10⁻⁸ and 10⁻¹ moles/L of solution.
10. The bath of Claim 9 wherein said amount is between 10⁻⁵ and 10⁻³ moles/L.
11. The bath of Claim 9 wherein said Formula I comprises